Information display apparatus, image taking apparatus, and method and computer program for controlling displaying information

ABSTRACT

An information display apparatus includes an input device adapted to input user operation information, a touch sensor adapted to detect the state of the input device in terms of whether the input device is touched by a user, a display adapted to display information, and a control unit adapted to receive user operation information from the input device and sensor detection information from the touch sensor, and control displaying of the information on the display in accordance with the received user operation information and the sensor detection information. If the touch information indicating that the input device is touched by the user is received from the touch sensor, the control unit displays first information associated with the input device on the display. If the input device is maintained in the touched state longer than a predetermined period, the control unit switches the displayed information into second information.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and is based upon and claimsbenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 for U.S. Ser. No. 12/111,479,filed Apr. 29, 2008 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 from Japanese Patent Application JP 2007-147729 filed in theJapanese Patent Office on Jun. 4, 2007, the entire contents of each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information display apparatus, animage taking apparatus, and a method and computer program forcontrolling displaying information, and more particularly, to aninformation display apparatus, an image taking apparatus, and a methodand computer program for controlling displaying information, in anapparatus such as a camera having a display, capable of controlling thetiming of switching information displayed on the display depending onconvenience of a user.

2. Description of the Related Art

In an image taking apparatus such as a digital still/video camera or inan information processing apparatus having a display, various processesare performed to display information on a display.

In some information processing apparatus such as a digital still camerahaving various input devices, a description of how to use input devicesor a description of how the input devices function is displayed on thedisplay as required. Specific examples of techniques to controldisplaying information may be found, for example, in Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2000-330181, Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2003-319226, or Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2004-173029.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2000-330181, when a particular input device is operatedby a user, a function of the input device is displayed on a display. Inthe technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2003-319226, when a help button is pressed, informationindicating an operation performed previously and a related descriptionare displayed. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2004-173029, disclosed is a digital camera having an instruction mode inwhich various descriptions are provided.

However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2000-330181 and the technique disclosed inthe Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-319226,the description of the function of the input device is displayed onlyfor a fixed period after the input device is operated by a user. In thetechnique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2004-173029, the description of the function of theinput device is displayed only when the operation mode is set in theinstruction mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, in an information display apparatus, an imagetaking apparatus, and a method and computer program for controllingdisplaying information, it is desirable to provide a technique todisplay information on a display of a camera or the like such that whena user-operable input device is touched by a user, informationindicating how to use the input device or how the input device functionsis displayed in various forms different in detail level depending on amanner in which the input device is touched thereby to provide optimuminformation needed by a user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan information display apparatus including an input device adapted toinput user operation information, a touch sensor adapted to detect thestate of the input device in terms of whether the input device istouched by a user, a display adapted to display information, and acontrol unit adapted to receive user operation information from theinput device and sensor detection information from the touch sensor, andcontrol displaying of the information on the display in accordance withthe received user operation information and the sensor detectioninformation, the control unit controlling the displaying of theinformation such that if the touch information indicating that the inputdevice is touched by the user is received from the touch sensor, thecontrol unit displays first information associated with the input deviceon the display, and if the input device is then maintained in thetouched state over a period equal to or greater than a predeterminedmaximum display period assigned to the first information, the controlunit switches the information displayed on the display into informationincluding at least second information.

In this information display apparatus, the control unit may furthercontrol the displaying of the information such that if informationindicating that the input device is not touched by the user is receivedfrom the touch sensor during the execution of displaying the firstinformation or the second information associated with the input device,the control unit stops the displaying first information or the secondinformation.

In the information display apparatus, the first information or thesecond information may include at least operation information, functioninformation, or setting information associated with the input device.

In the information display apparatus, the input device may be an inputdevice whose function changes depending on a mode in which an operationmode is currently set, and the control unit may control the displayingof information such that when the first information or the secondinformation is displayed, the control unit displays informationassociated with the input device depending on the current operationmode.

In the information display apparatus, the input device may be a functioninput device adapted to be set so as to have a function selected by auser, and the control unit may control the displaying of the informationsuch that when the first information or the second information isdisplayed, the control unit displays information associated with thefunction input device depending on the function currently set.

In the information display apparatus, the input device may be amulti-function input device whose function is assigned depending on thenumber of times the multi-function input device is operated or dependingon a manner in which the multi-function input device is operated, andthe control unit may control the displaying of the information such thatwhen the first information or the second information is displayed, thecontrol unit displays information associated with the currently assignedfunction of the multi-function input device.

In the information display apparatus, the first information may be briefexplanatory information associated with the input device, and the secondinformation may be detailed explanatory information associated with theinput device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan image taking apparatus including imaging means for producing an imageof a subject, an input device adapted to input user operationinformation, a touch sensor adapted to detect the state of the inputdevice in terms of whether the input device is touched by a user, adisplay adapted to display information, and a control unit adapted toreceive user operation information from the input device and sensordetection information from the touch sensor, and control displaying ofthe information on the display in accordance with the received useroperation information and the sensor detection information, the controlunit controlling the displaying of the information such that if thetouch information indicating that the input device is touched by theuser is received from the touch sensor, the control unit displays firstinformation associated with the input device on the display, and if theinput device is then maintained in the touched state over a period equalto or greater than a predetermined maximum display period assigned tothe first information, the control unit switches the informationdisplayed on the display into information including at least secondinformation.

In this image taking apparatus, the control unit may control thedisplaying of the information such that if information indicating thatthe input device is not touched by the user is received from the touchsensor during the execution of displaying the first information or thesecond information associated with the input device, the control unitstops the displaying first information or the second information.

In the image taking apparatus, the first information or the secondinformation may include at least operation information, functioninformation, or setting information associated with the input device.

In the image taking apparatus, the first information may be briefexplanatory information associated with the input device, and the secondinformation may be detailed explanatory information associated with theinput device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided amethod of controlling displaying information, executed in an informationdisplay apparatus, including the steps of by a control unit, inputtingsensor detection information from a touch sensor associated with aninput device, and by the control unit, controlling displaying theinformation such that if the control unit receives touch informationindicating that the input device is touched by a user from the touchsensor, the control unit displays first information associated with theinput unit on a display, and if the control unit determines that theinput device is then maintained in the touched state over a period equalto or greater than a predetermined maximum display period assigned tothe first information, the control unit switches the informationdisplayed on the display into information including at least secondinformation.

In this method, the step of controlling displaying the information mayfurther include the step of stopping the displaying first information orthe second information if information indicating that the input deviceis not touched by the user is received from the touch sensor during theexecution of displaying the first information or the second informationassociated with the input device.

In this method, the first information or the second information mayinclude at least operation information, function information, or settinginformation associated with the input device.

In this method, the first information may be brief explanatoryinformation associated with the input device, and the second informationmay be detailed explanatory information associated with the inputdevice.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided acomputer program executable by a computer to perform a process ofcontrolling displaying information in an information display apparatus,including the steps of controlling a control unit to input sensordetection information from a touch sensor associated with an inputdevice, and controlling the control unit to control displaying theinformation such that if the control unit receives touch informationindicating that the input device is touched by a user from the touchsensor, the control unit displays first information associated with theinput unit on a display, and if the control unit determines that theinput device is then maintained in the touched state over a period equalto or greater than a predetermined maximum display period assigned tothe first information, the control unit switches the informationdisplayed on the display into information including at least secondinformation.

The computer program may be provided to a computer system capable ofexecuting various computer program codes via a storage medium on whichthe program is stored in a computer-readable manner or via acommunication medium. By providing the program in the computer-readableform as described above, it becomes possible to execute processes on thecomputer system in accordance with the program.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description ofembodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the presentdescription, the term “system” is used to describe a logical collectionof a plurality of devices, and it is not necessarily required that theplurality of devices be disposed in a single case.

As described above, the present invention provides a great advantage.That is, if the control unit of the information display apparatusreceives the touch information indicating that the input device istouched by the user from the touch sensor associated with the inputdevice, the control unit displays brief explanatory informationassociated with the input device on the display. If the control unitdetermines that this input device has been maintained in the touchedstate for a period equal to or longer than a maximum display periodassigned to the brief information, the control unit switches thedisplayed information into detailed explanatory information thereby toprovide more detailed information to a user so that the user canunderstand how to use the input device or how the input devicefunctions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate an example of a structure of an image takingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configurationof an information display apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of information displayed ona display of an information display apparatus according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an example of a manner in whichinformation displayed on a display of an information display apparatusis switched according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of switchinginformation displayed on a display of an information display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of switchinginformation displayed on a display of an information display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a process of switchinginformation displayed on a display of an information display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating an example of a manner in whichinformation displayed on a display of an information display apparatusis switched according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating an example of a manner in whichinformation displayed on a display of an information display apparatusis switched according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of a manner inwhich information displayed on a display of an information displayapparatus is switched according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of a manner inwhich information displayed on a display of an information displayapparatus is switched according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 12A to 12C are diagrams illustrating an example of a manner inwhich information displayed on a display of an information displayapparatus is switched according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of a manner inwhich information displayed on a display of an information displayapparatus is switched according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 14A to 14C are diagrams illustrating an example of a manner inwhich information displayed on a display of an information displayapparatus is switched according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the accompanying drawings, an information displayapparatus, an image taking apparatus, a method and computer program forcontrolling displaying information according to embodiments of thepresent invention are described in detail below. In the followingexplanation, by way of example, an embodiment of an image takingapparatus according to the present invention is described.

First, referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C and FIG. 2, an example of an externalstructure and an example of a hardware configuration of the image takingapparatus are described. FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate the externalstructure of the image taking apparatus 100. More specifically, FIG. 1Aillustrates a front view of the image taking apparatus 100, FIG. 1Billustrates a top view, and FIG. 1C illustrates a rear view. Note thatin FIG. 1B, a lens system is shown in the form of a cross-sectionalview. The image taking apparatus 100 includes a lens unit 101, a shutterbutton 102, a mode selection dial 103 for setting a mode to a shootmode, a playback mode, or the like, a zoom button 104 for setting a zoomparameter, an operation button 105 for making various settings andoperations, and a display (monitor) 106 adapted to display an image(through-image) taken by the image taking apparatus and also variouskinds of information such as operation information.

An image of a subject is displayed on the display (monitor) 106. Morespecifically, the display 106 is configured, for example, using a LCDsuch that a subject image captured via a lens is displayed thereon inthe form of a moving image. This moving image is called a through-image.The display 106 is also used to display a still image taken by the imagetaking apparatus. Furthermore, the display 106 is used to displayvarious kinds of information such as shooting parameters anddescriptions or instructions on operations.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, major hardware parts of the image takingapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention aredescribed below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating main hardwareparts of the image taking apparatus. The image taking apparatus includesa control unit (CPU) 201, an input unit 202 (including input devicessuch as the shutter button 102, the mode selection dial 103, the zoombutton 104, and the operation button 105, shown in FIG. 1), touchsensors 203, a memory 204, a display 106, a timer 206, and a powersupply 207. The display 106 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the display106 shown in FIG. 1C.

The control unit 201 is configured to control data processing in theimage taking apparatus in accordance with operation information suppliedfrom the input unit 202 or the touch sensors 203. More specifically,processes controlled by the control unit 201 includes, for example,starting of an image taking process, signal processing of image data,storing of image data in the memory 204, and displaying various kinds ofinformation on the display 106 depending on an operation performed by auser. The memory 204 is used not only as a storage area of image databut also as a storage area of a program executed by the control unit201, and a work area used by the control unit 201 during the executionof the program. The memory 204 may be a combination of various types ofmemories such as a RAM, a ROM, and other storage media, although thememory 204 shown in FIG. 2 has a simple form.

The touch sensors 203 include a plurality of touch sensors adapted toseparately sense the status of respective input devices 202 shown inFIG. 1, such as the shutter button 102, the mode selection dial 103, thezoom button 104, and the operation button 105. The touch sensors 203detect whether a finger of a user is contact with the shutter button102, the mode selection dial 103, the zoom button 104, or the operationbutton 105, and the touch sensors 203 output detection informationindicating the contact status of each input device 202 to the controlunit 201.

If the control unit 201 receives various kinds of operation informationfrom the input unit 202 including the input devices shown in FIG. 1 suchas the shutter button 102, the mode selection dial 103, the zoom button104, and the operation button 105 and time information from the timer206, the control unit 201 performs a process depending on an operationindicated by the operation information, such as a shooting process,controlling displaying information on the display 106, etc., inaccordance with the detection information output from the touch sensors203 associated with the respective input devices 202 shown in FIG. 1such as the shutter button 102, the mode selection dial 103, the zoombutton 104, and the operation button 105.

Next, referring to FIG. 3 and other figures, the process performed bythe control unit 201 to control displaying information is described infurther detail below. FIG. 3 illustrates a manner in which an image of asubject is taken by a user. To take an image of a subject 321, a user301 presses the shutter button 102 of a camera. Before the shutterbutton 102 is pressed, a through-image (motion image) of the subject isdisplayed on the display 106 of the camera so that the user candetermine the composition on the basis of the displayed through-image.After the composition is determined, if the user presses the shutterbutton 102, an image of the subject is taken.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the image taking apparatus100 has the input unit including various user-operable input devicesshown in FIG. 1 such as the shutter button 102, the mode selection dial103, the zoom button 104, and the operation button 105. A user does notnecessarily know functions of all these input devices, and thus it isdesirable to provide a description of the functions of the input devicesand/or information indicating the modes currently set for the inputdevices, as required.

In the image taking apparatus according to the present embodiment of theinvention, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, the touchsensors 203 are disposed for respective input devices of the input unit202, and touch detection information output from the touch sensor 203associated with each input device 202 is supplied to the control unit201. In accordance with the received touch detection information, thecontrol unit 201 displays information indicating the function and/or themode of the input device on the display 106. More specifically, thecontrol unit 201 switches the information displayed on the display 106in accordance with the detection information which is output from thetouch sensor 203 to indicate whether a finger of a user is in contactwith a input device 202, as described above with reference to FIG. 2.

In the present embodiment, the control of displaying of information isperformed such that information displayed on the display 106 is switchedamong a plurality of pieces of information (first to n-th information).For example, if the control unit 201 detects that touch informationsupplied from a particular touch sensor indicates that a correspondingparticular input device is touched by a user, the control unit 201displays first information associated with this input device. If thecontrol unit 201 determines that this input device has been maintainedin the touched state for a period equal to or longer than a maximumdisplay period assigned to the first information, the control unit 201switches the information displayed on the display 106 to the secondinformation associated with the input device. In the followingexplanation, by way of example, it is assumed that the first informationis brief information of the input device and the second information isdetailed information thereof.

FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate an example of a manner in which displayedinformation is switched in accordance with the present embodiment of theinvention. In the example shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, information displayedon the display 106 is switched in response to an operation performed bya user on the mode selection dial 103 to select an operation mode from agroup including a shoot mode, a playback mode, etc.

In the example shown in FIG. 4A, brief information is displayed on thedisplay 106 when a user touches the mode selection dial 103 with auser's finger 301 at a time T0 and the brief information is continuouslydisplayed for a following period in which the mode selection dial 103 ismaintained in the touched state, unless the period does not exceed amaximum display period Ta assigned to the brief information. Morespecifically, over this period, the control unit 201 displays briefexplanatory information 331 on the display 106 as first-levelexplanatory information of the input device 202 touched by the user,i.e., the mode selection dial 103 in this specific case. In the exampleshown in FIG. 4A, only a name “MODE DIAL” of the touched input device isdisplayed as the brief explanatory information 331. If the control unit201 detects that the finger of the user is brought into contact with themode selection dial 103 and thus the detection information supplied fromthe touch sensor changes into an ON level, the control unit 201 displaysthe brief explanatory information 331 and maintains it over a followingperiod during which the detection information output from the touchsensor is at the ON level, unless the period does not exceed the maximumdisplay period (Ta) assigned to the brief information.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example of information which is displayed on thedisplay 106 in a following period after the expiration of the maximumdisplay period (Ta) assigned to the brief information in a case wherethe finger 301 of the user is still maintained in contact with the modeselection dial 103. More specifically, in this period after theexpiration of the maximum display period Ta assigned to the briefinformation, the control unit 201 displays detailed explanatoryinformation 332 on the display 106 as second-level information about theinput device 202 being touched by the user, i.e., the mode selectiondial 103 in this specific case. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, thedetailed explanatory information 332 includes a description of thefunction of the mode selection dial and a current operation mode. Thatis, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the finger of the userwas put on the mode selection dial 103 and thus the detectioninformation output from the touch sensor turned on, if the user's fingeris still in contact with the mode selection dial 103, then the controlunit 201 switches the displayed information from the brief explanatoryinformation 331 to the detailed explanatory information 332.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example of information which is displayed whenthe finger 301 of the user is moved away from the mode selection dial103 and thus the mode selection dial 103 returns into the non-touchedstate. More specifically, if the control unit 201 detects that thefinger of the user has moved away from the mode selection dial 103 andthus the detection information output from the touch sensor has changedinto the OFF state, the control unit 201 changes the informationdisplayed on the display 106, for example, into a through-image as shownin FIG. 4C.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the displayed informationis switched in accordance with the touch information indicating thecontact status of the input device. If the input device is maintained inthe touched state, the displayed information is switched into a moredetailed version thereby to provide information to a user depending onwhether the user needs the detailed information. The brief explanatoryinformation and the detailed explanatory information displayed on thedisplay include at least one of operation information, functioninformation, or setting information, associated with the input device.

Specific examples of the display control process according to thepresent embodiment are described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a display control process for a casewhere the input device is released from a contact state into anon-contact state after a short period during which the input device ismaintained in the contact state. In FIG. 5, displayed information (a)and touch information detection signal (b) displayed or detected in thiscase are shown. In a period during which a user maintains his/her fingerin contact with the input device 202 (for example, the mode selectiondial 103), the touch information detection signal (b) is in the ONstate. During this period, a state detection signal with an ON level issupplied from the touch sensor 203 to the control unit 201 to notifythat the finger of the user is in contact with the input device 202.More specifically, when it is detected that the user brings his/herfinger into contact with the input device 202 at a time T0, briefexplanatory information associated with the input device touched by theuser is displayed on the display 106 and is kept displayed over afollowing period in which the input device is in the touched state,unless the period does not exceed the maximum display period (Ta). Ifthe user moves his/her finger away from the input device 202 (forexample, the mode selection dial 103), the touch information detectionsignal (b) changes into the OFF level, and thus the control unit 201switches the information displayed on the display 106 from the briefexplanatory information into another piece of information such as athrough-image.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the period (from T0 to T1) during whichthe input device 202 (for example, the mode selection dial 103) is inthe touched state is shorter than the predetermined maximum displayperiod (Ta) assigned to the brief information, and thus the informationdisplayed on the display 106 is not switched from the brief explanatoryinformation to the detailed explanatory information but switched fromthe brief explanatory information to the through-image.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, explained is an example of a display controlprocess performed for a case where an input device 202 (for example, themode selection dial 103) is maintained in the touched state over aperiod longer than the predetermined maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a display control process for a casewhere an input device is maintained in the touched state for a longperiod. In FIG. 6, displayed information (a) and touch informationdetection signal (b) displayed or detected in this case are shown. In aperiod during which a user maintains his/her finger in contact with theinput device 202 (for example, the mode selection dial 103), the touchinformation detection signal (b) is in the ON state. During this period,a state detection signal with an ON level is supplied from the touchsensor 203 to the control unit 201 to notify that the finger of the useris in contact with the input device 202. More specifically, when it isdetected that the user brings his/her finger into contact with the inputdevice 202 at a time T0, brief explanatory information associated withthe input device touched by the user is displayed on the display 106 andis kept displayed over a following period in which the input device isin the touched state, unless the period does not exceed the maximumdisplay period (Ta).

In the present example, the input device 202 (for example, the modeselection dial 103) is maintained in the touched state over a period(from T0 to T2) longer than the maximum display period (Ta) assigned tothe brief information. In this case, when the period Ta has elapsedsince the time T0, the control unit switches the information displayedon the display from the brief explanatory information to the detailedexplanatory information. In this specific example, the informationdisplayed as shown in FIG. 4A is switched to information shown in FIG.4B. Thus, the user is provided with more detailed information about theinput device with which the user keeps his/her finger in contact.

If the user moves his/her finger away from the input device at a timeT2, the touch information detection signal (b) changes into the OFFlevel, and thus the control unit 201 switches the information displayedon the display 106 from the detailed explanatory information intoanother piece of information such as a through-image.

In the present embodiment of the invention, as described above, thecontrol unit 201 of the image taking apparatus monitors the status ofeach input device in terms of whether it is touched by a user on thebasis of the touch information supplied from the touch sensor 203. If achange of the touch information into the ON state is detected, thecontrol unit 201 displays, on the display, brief explanatory informationassociated with the touched input device. If the input device ismaintained in the touched state longer than the predetermined maximumdisplay period (Ta) assigned to the brief information, the control unit201 switches the displayed information from the brief explanatoryinformation to the detailed explanatory information at a time at whichthe maximum display period (Ta) expires. If the user moves his/herfinger away from the input device, the control unit 201 deletes thebrief explanatory information or the detailed explanatory informationand displays another piece of information such as a through-image on thedisplay.

In a case where the user operates an input device, for example, the modeselection dial 103 to switch the operation mode, the control unit 201displays information associated with the new operation mode. If the userfurther touches another input device, the control unit 201 displaysexplanatory information (brief explanatory information) associated withthe touched input device.

The process performed by the control unit of the image taking apparatusto control the displaying of information on the display according to thepresent embodiment is described in further detail below with referenceto a flow chart shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of aprocess performed by the control unit when a particular input device istouched or operated by a user.

First, in step S101, the control unit displays brief explanatoryinformation of the input device touched or operated by the user. Next,in step S102, the control unit determines whether the user has movedhis/her finger away from the input device before the expiration of thepredetermined maximum display period (Ta) assigned to the briefinformation, by checking whether the touch information output from thetouch sensor has changed into the OFF level indicating that the inputdevice is no longer in the touched state. If the determination result isYes, the processing flow proceeds to step S105. In step S105, thecontrol unit switches the information displayed on the display from thebrief explanatory information into, for example, a through-image.

On the other hand, in a case where the result of the determination madein step S102 is that the user did not move his/her finger away from theinput device before the expiration of the predetermined maximum displayperiod (Ta) assigned to the brief information, that is, the touchinformation output from the touch sensor is still maintained in the ONstate, indicating that the input device is in the touched state, afterthe expiration of the maximum display period (Ta) assigned to the briefinformation, then the processing flow proceeds to step S103. In stepS103, the control unit switches the information displayed on the displayfrom the brief explanatory information to the detailed explanatoryinformation.

Next, in step S104, it is determined whether the touch informationoutput from the touch sensor has changed into the OFF level indicatingthat the input device is not in the touched state. If not, the detailedexplanatory information displayed in step S103 is maintained. However,if the answer to step S104 is Yes, the processing flow proceeds to stepS105, and the control unit switches the information displayed on thedisplay from the brief explanatory information into, for example, thethrough-image.

In the embodiment described above, it is assumed that the control unitswitches the displayed information between two pieces of information,i.e., brief information and detailed information. Alternatively, agreater number of pieces of information may be prepared, and thedisplayed information may be switched from one piece of information toanother at boundaries of time periods defined, for example, as follows:

Period from T0 to T1: brief explanatory information

Period from T1 to T2: first-level detailed explanatory information

Period from T2 to T3: second-level detailed explanatory information, andso on.

In the embodiment described above, by way of example, it is assumed thatthe displayed information is controlled depending on the status of themode selection dial in terms of contact with a user's finger. However,the input device is not limited to the mode selection dial, butdisplayed information may be controlled depending on the status of otherinput devices, as described below with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C andother figures.

FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate an example of a manner in which informationdisplayed on the display is controlled depending on the status of thezoom button 104. In FIG. 8A, brief information is displayed on thedisplay 106 when a user touches the zoom button 104 with a user's finger301 at a time T0 and the brief information is continuously displayed fora following period in which the zoom button 104 is maintained in thetouched state, unless the period does not exceed a maximum displayperiod Ta assigned to the brief information. More specifically, overthis period, the control unit 201 displays brief explanatory information341 on the display 106 as first-level explanatory information of theinput device 202 touched by the user, i.e., the zoom button 104 in thisspecific case. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, only a name “ZOOMBUTTON” of the touched input device is displayed as the briefexplanatory information 341. If the control unit 201 detects a change inthe detection information supplied from the touch sensor into the ONlevel when the finger of the user is brought into contact with the zoombutton 104, the control unit 201 displays the brief explanatoryinformation 341 about the zoom button 104 as shown in FIG. 8A for afollowing period during which the detection information output from thetouch sensor is at the ON level, unless the period does not exceed themaximum display period (Ta) assigned to the brief information.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example of information displayed on the display106 in a period after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information when the finger 301 of the user isstill maintained in contact with the zoom button 104 after theexpiration of the maximum display period (Ta). More specifically, inthis period after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information, the control unit 201 displaysdetailed explanatory information 342 on the display 106 as second-levelexplanatory information of the zoom button 104 being in the touchedstate. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, a description of functions ofthe zoom button 104 and information indicating a zoom parametercurrently set are displayed as detailed explanatory information 342 ofthe zoom button 104. That is, when a predetermined period (the maximumdisplay period Ta assigned to the brief information) has elapsed sincethe finger of the user was put on the zoom button 104 and thus thedetection information output from the touch sensor turned on, if theuser's finger is still in contact with the zoom button 104, then thecontrol unit 201 switches the displayed information from the briefexplanatory information 341 to the detailed explanatory information 342.

FIG. 8C illustrates an example of information which is displayed whenthe finger 301 of the user is moved away from the zoom button 104 andthus the zoom button 104 returns into the non-touched state. Morespecifically, if the control unit 201 detects that the user has movedhis/her finger away from the zoom button 104 and thus the detectioninformation output from the touch sensor has changed into the OFF state,the control unit 201 changes the information displayed on the display106, for example, into a through-image 343 as shown in FIG. 8C.

FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate an example of a manner in which informationdisplayed on the display is controlled depending on the status of theshutter button 102. FIG. 9A illustrates an example of brief informationwhich is displayed on the display 106 when a user touches the shutterbutton 102 with a user's finger 301 at a time T0 and is continuouslydisplayed for a following period in which the shutter button 102 ismaintained in the touched state, unless the period does not exceed amaximum display period Ta assigned to the brief information. Morespecifically, over this period, the control unit 201 displays briefexplanatory information 351 on the display 106 as first-levelexplanatory information of the input device 202 touched by the user,i.e., the shutter button 102 in this specific case. In the example shownin FIG. 9A, only a name “SHUTTER” of the touched input device and abrief description of the function thereof are displayed as the briefexplanatory information 341. If the control unit 201 detects a change inthe detection information supplied from the touch sensor into the ONlevel when the finger of the user is brought into contact with theshutter button 102, the control unit 201 displays the brief explanatoryinformation 351 of the shutter button 102 as shown in FIG. 9A andmaintains it over a following period during which the detectioninformation output from the touch sensor is at the ON level, unless theperiod does not exceed the maximum display period (Ta) assigned to thebrief information.

FIG. 9B illustrates an example of information which is displayed on thedisplay 106 in a period after the expiration of the maximum displayperiod (Ta) assigned to the brief information when the finger 301 of theuser is still maintained in contact with the shutter button 102 afterthe expiration of the maximum display period (Ta). More specifically, inthis period after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information, the control unit 201 displaysdetailed explanatory information 352 on the display 106 as second-levelexplanatory information of the shutter button 102 being in the touchedstate. In the example shown in FIG. 9B, detailed explanatory informationof the shutter button 102, including a description of the functions ofthe shutter button 102, is displayed as the detailed explanatoryinformation 352. That is, when a predetermined period (the maximumdisplay period Ta assigned to the brief information) has elapsed sincethe finger of the user was put on the shutter button 102 and thus thedetection information output from the touch sensor turned on, if theuser's finger is still in contact with the shutter button 102, then thecontrol unit 201 switches the displayed information from the briefexplanatory information 351 to the detailed explanatory information 352.

FIG. 9C illustrates an example of information which is displayed whenthe finger 301 of the user is moved away from the shutter button 102 andthus the shutter button 102 returns into the non-touched state. If thecontrol unit 201 detects a change in the detection information suppliedfrom the touch sensor into the OFF level when the finger of the user ismoved away from the shutter button 102, the control unit 201 changes theinformation displayed on the display 106, for example, into athrough-image 353 as shown in FIG. 9C.

FIGS. 10A to 10C and FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate an example of a mannerin which information displayed on the display 106 is controlled inresponse to an operation performed on the operation button 401 whosefunction is changed depending on the mode. FIGS. 10A to 10C illustratean example of a manner in which information displayed on the display 106is controlled for a case in which the mode selection dial 103 is set inthe a shoot mode, while FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate an example of amanner in which information displayed on the display 106 is controlledfor a case in which the mode selection dial 103 is set in a playbackmode.

When the mode selection dial 103 is set in the shoot mode, the operationbutton 401 functions as a resolution select button, while the operationbutton 401 functions as an image delete button when the mode selectiondial 103 is set in the playback mode.

FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate an example of a manner in which informationdisplayed on the display 106 is controlled when the mode selection dial103 is in the position of the shoot mode. More specifically, FIG. 10Aillustrates an example of information which is displayed on the display106 when the user's finger 301 is brought into contact with theoperation button 401 and is kept displayed over a period during whichthe user's finger 301 is in contact in the operation button 401 unlessthe period does not exceed the maximum display period (Ta) assigned tothe brief information. More specifically, over this period, the controlunit 201 displays brief explanatory information 411 on the display 106as first-level explanatory information of the input device 202 touchedby the user, i.e., the operation button 401 in this specific case.

In this case, the displayed brief explanatory information 411 indicatesthe function of the operation button 401 assigned in the shoot modeselected by the mode selection dial 103. That is, as shown in FIG. 10A,the brief explanatory information 411 indicates that the operationbutton 401 functions as a “RESOLUTION SELECTION BUTTON” in the shootmode currently set. That is, if the control unit 201 detects a change inthe detection information supplied from the touch sensor into the ONlevel when the finger of the user is put on the operation button 401,then, as shown in FIG. 10A, the control unit 201 displays briefexplanatory information 411 on the display 106 as brief explanatoryinformation of the function of the operation button 401 assigned in thecurrent operation mode (shoot mode) over a period in which the detectioninformation output from the touch sensor is in the ON level, as long asthe period is shorter than the maximum display period (Ta).

FIG. 10B illustrates an example of information which is displayed on thedisplay 106 in a period after the expiration of the maximum displayperiod (Ta) assigned to the brief information if the finger 301 of theuser is still maintained in contact with the operation button 401 afterthe expiration of the maximum display period (Ta). More specifically, inthis period after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information, the control unit 201 displaysdetailed explanatory information 412 on the display 106 as second-levelexplanatory information of the currently assigned function of theoperation button 401 being in the touched state. In the example shown inFIG. 10B, detailed explanatory information of the operation button 401,including a description of the functions of the operation button 401 inthe shoot mode, is displayed as the detailed explanatory information412. That is, when a predetermined period (the maximum display period Taassigned to the brief information) has elapsed since the finger of theuser was put on the operation button 401 and thus the detectioninformation output from the touch sensor turned on, if the user's fingeris still in contact with the operation button 401, then the control unit201 switches the displayed information from the brief explanatoryinformation 411 to the detailed explanatory information 412. In thiscase, the content of the displayed information is determined dependingon the current operation mode.

FIG. 10C illustrates an example of information which is displayed whenthe finger 301 of the user is moved away from the operation button 401and thus the operation button 401 returns into the non-touched state.That is, if the control unit 201 detects a change in the detectioninformation supplied from the touch sensor into the OFF level when thefinger of the user is moved away from the operation button 401, thecontrol unit 201 changes the information displayed on the display 106,for example, into a through-image 413 as shown in FIG. 10C.

FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate an example of a manner in which informationdisplayed on the display 106 is controlled when the mode selection dial103 is set in the playback mode. More specifically, FIG. 11A illustratesan example of information which is displayed, in the playback mode, onthe display 106 when the user's finger 301 is brought into contact withthe operation button 401 and is kept displayed over a period duringwhich the user's finger 301 is in contact in the operation button 401unless the period does not exceed the maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information. More specifically, over this period,the control unit 201 displays brief explanatory information 421 on thedisplay 106 as first-level explanatory information of the input device202 touched by the user, i.e., the operation button 401 in this specificcase.

In this case, the displayed brief explanatory information 421 indicatesthe function of the operation button 401 assigned in the playback modeselected by the mode selection dial 103. That is, as shown in FIG. 11A,the brief explanatory information 421 indicates that the operationbutton 401 functions as a “DELETE BUTTON” in the playback mode in whichthe operation mode is currently set. More specifically, if the controlunit 201 detects a change in the detection information supplied from thetouch sensor into the ON level when the finger of the user is put on theoperation button 401, then, as shown in FIG. 11A, the control unit 201displays brief explanatory information 421 on the display 106 as briefexplanatory information of the function of the operation button 401assigned in the current operation mode (playback mode) over a period inwhich the detection information output from the touch sensor is in theON level, as long as the period is shorter than the maximum displayperiod (Ta).

FIG. 11B illustrates an example of information which is displayed on thedisplay 106 in a period after the expiration of the maximum displayperiod (Ta) assigned to the brief information if the finger 301 of theuser is still maintained in contact with the operation button 401 afterthe expiration of the maximum display period (Ta). More specifically, inthis period after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information, the control unit 201 displaysdetailed explanatory information 422 on the display 106 as second-levelexplanatory information of the currently assigned function of theoperation button 401 being in the touched state. In the example shown inFIG. 11B, detailed explanatory information of the operation button 401,including a description of the function of the operation button 401 inthe playback mode, is displayed as the detailed explanatory information422. That is, when a predetermined period (the maximum display period Taassigned to the brief information) has elapsed since the finger of theuser was put on the operation button 401 and thus the detectioninformation output from the touch sensor turned on, if the user's fingeris still in contact with the operation button 401, then the control unit201 switches the displayed information from the brief explanatoryinformation 421 to the detailed explanatory information 422. In thiscase, the content of the displayed information is determined dependingon the current operation mode.

FIG. 11C illustrates an example of information which is displayed whenthe finger 301 of the user is moved away from the operation button 401and thus the operation button 401 returns into the non-touched state.That is, if the control unit 201 detects a change in the detectioninformation supplied from the touch sensor into the OFF level when thefinger of the user is moved away from the operation button 401, thecontrol unit 201 changes the information displayed on the display 106,for example, into a through-image 423 as shown in FIG. 11C.

FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrates an example of a manner in which informationdisplayed on the display 106 is controlled in response to an operationperformed on the function button 441 which can be set so as to have afunction specified by a user. More specifically, FIG. 12A illustrates anexample of information which is displayed on the display 106 when theuser's finger 301 is brought into contact with the function button 441and is kept displayed over a period during which the user's finger 301is in contact in the function button 441 unless the period does notexceed the maximum display period (Ta) assigned to the briefinformation. That is, over this period, the control unit 201 displaysbrief explanatory information 451 on the display 106 as first-levelexplanatory information of the input device 202 touched by the user,i.e., the function button 441 in this specific case.

More specifically, in this case, the displayed brief explanatoryinformation 451 indicates the function currently assigned to thefunction button 441. That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, the briefexplanatory information 451 indicates that a function of“TIMER-CONTROLLER SHOOTING” is currently assigned to the function button441. More specifically, if the control unit 201 detects a change in thedetection information supplied from the touch sensor into the ON levelwhen the finger of the user is put on the function button 441, then, asshown in FIG. 12A, the control unit 201 displays brief explanatoryinformation 451 on the display 106 as brief explanatory information ofthe function currently assigned to function button 441 over a period inwhich the detection information output from the touch sensor is in theON level, as long as the period is shorter than the maximum displayperiod (Ta).

FIG. 12B illustrates an example of information which is displayed on thedisplay 106 in a period after the expiration of the maximum displayperiod (Ta) assigned to the brief information if the finger 301 of theuser is still maintained in contact with the function button 441 afterthe expiration of the maximum display period (Ta). More specifically, inthis period after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information, the control unit 201 displaysdetailed explanatory information 452 on the display 106 as second-levelexplanatory information of the function of the function button 441 beingin the touched state. In the example shown in FIG. 12B, detailedexplanatory information of the function button 441, including adescription of the function currently assigned to the function button441, is displayed as the detailed explanatory information 452. That is,when a predetermined period (the maximum display period Ta assigned tothe brief information) has elapsed since the finger of the user was puton the function button 441 and thus the detection information outputfrom the touch sensor turned on, if the user's finger is still incontact with the function button 441, then the control unit 201 switchesthe displayed information from the brief explanatory information 451 tothe detailed explanatory information 452. In this case, the content ofthe displayed information is determined depending on the functioncurrently assigned.

FIG. 12C illustrates an example of information which is displayed whenthe finger 301 of the user is moved away from the function button 441and thus the function button 441 returns into the non-touched state.More specifically, if the control unit 201 detects a change in thedetection information supplied from the touch sensor into the OFF levelwhen the finger of the user is moved away from the function button 441,the control unit 201 changes the information displayed on the display106, for example, into a through-image 453 as shown in FIG. 12C.

FIGS. 13A to 13C illustrate an example of a manner in which informationdisplayed on the display 106 is controlled in response to an operationperformed on the multi-function operation button 471 whose function ischanged depending on the number of times the multi-function operationbutton 471 is operated. More specifically, FIG. 13 illustrates anexample of information which is displayed on the display 106 when theuser's finger 301 is brought into contact with the multi-functionoperation button 471 and is kept displayed over a period during whichthe user's finger 301 is in contact in the multi-function operationbutton 471 unless the period does not exceed the maximum display period(Ta) assigned to the brief information. More specifically, over thisperiod, the control unit 201 displays brief explanatory information 481on the display 106 as first-level explanatory information of the inputdevice 202 touched by the user, i.e., the multi-function operationbutton 471 in this specific case.

In this case, the displayed brief explanatory information 481 indicatesthe function currently assignable to the multi-function operation button471. That is, as shown in FIG. 13A, the brief explanatory information481 indicates that if the multi-function operation button 471 ispressed, a process “POWER SAVE→OFF” is executed. More specifically, ifthe control unit 201 detects a change in the detection informationsupplied from the touch sensor into the ON level when the finger of theuser is put on the multi-function operation button 471, then, as shownin FIG. 13A, the control unit 201 displays brief explanatory information481 on the display 106 as brief explanatory information of the functioncurrently assigned to the multi-function operation button 471 over aperiod in which the detection information output from the touch sensoris in the ON level, as long as the period is shorter than the maximumdisplay period (Ta).

FIG. 13B illustrates an example of information displayed on the display106 in a period after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information when the finger 301 of the user isstill maintained in contact with the multi-function operation button 471after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta). Morespecifically, in this period after the expiration of the maximum displayperiod (Ta) assigned to the brief information, the control unit 201displays detailed explanatory information 482 on the display 106 assecond-level explanatory information of the multi-function operationbutton 471 being in the touched state. In the example shown in FIG. 13B,detailed explanatory information of the multi-function operation button471, including a description of all functions assignable to themulti-function operation button 471, is displayed as the detailedexplanatory information 482. That is, when a predetermined period (themaximum display period Ta assigned to the brief information) has elapsedsince the finger of the user was put on the multi-function operationbutton 471 and thus the detection information output from the touchsensor turned on, if the user's finger is still in contact with themulti-function operation button 471, then the control unit 201 switchesthe displayed information from the brief explanatory information 481 tothe detailed explanatory information 482.

FIG. 13C illustrates an example of information which is displayed whenthe finger 301 of the user is moved away from the multi-functionoperation button 471 and thus the multi-function operation button 471returns into the non-touched state. More specifically, if the controlunit 201 detects a change in the detection information supplied from thetouch sensor into the OFF level when the finger of the user is movedaway from the multi-function operation button 471, the control unit 201changes the information displayed on the display 106, for example, intoa through-image 483 as shown in FIG. 13C.

FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate an example of a manner in which informationdisplayed on the display 106 is controlled in response to an operationperformed on the multi-function operation button 501 whose function isassigned depending on a manner in which the multi-function operationbutton 501 is operated. More specifically, FIG. 14A illustrates anexample of information which is displayed on the display 106 when theuser's finger 301 is brought into contact with the multi-functionoperation button 501 and is kept displayed over a period during whichthe user's finger 301 is in contact in the multi-function operationbutton 501 unless the period does not exceed the maximum display period(Ta) assigned to the brief information. More specifically, over thisperiod, the control unit 201 displays brief explanatory information 521on the display 106 as first-level explanatory information of the inputdevice 202 touched by the user, i.e., the multi-function operationbutton 501 in this specific case.

In this case, the displayed brief explanatory information 521 indicatesfunctions assignable to the multi-function operation button 501depending on the manner in which the multi-function operation button 501is operated. More specifically, if the control unit 201 detects a changein the detection information supplied from the touch sensor into the ONlevel when the finger of the user is put on the multi-function operationbutton 501, then, as shown in FIG. 14A, the control unit 201 displaysbrief explanatory information 521 on the display 106 as briefexplanatory information of functions assignable to the multi-functionoperation button 501 over a period in which the detection informationoutput from the touch sensor is in the ON level, as long as the periodis shorter than the maximum display period (Ta).

FIG. 14B illustrates an example of information displayed on the display106 in a period after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta)assigned to the brief information when the finger 301 of the user isstill maintained in contact with the multi-function operation button 501after the expiration of the maximum display period (Ta). Morespecifically, in this period after the expiration of the maximum displayperiod (Ta) assigned to the brief information, the control unit 201displays detailed explanatory information 522 on the display 106 assecond-level explanatory information of the multi-function operationbutton 501 being in the touched state. In the example shown in FIG. 14B,detailed explanatory information of the multi-function operation button501, including a description of all functions assignable to themulti-function operation button 501, is displayed as the detailedexplanatory information 522. That is, when a predetermined period (themaximum display period Ta assigned to the brief information) has elapsedsince the finger of the user was put on the multi-function operationbutton 501 and thus the detection information output from the touchsensor turned on, if the user's finger is still in contact with themulti-function operation button 501, then the control unit 201 switchesthe displayed information from the brief explanatory information 521 tothe detailed explanatory information 522.

FIG. 14C illustrates an example of information which is displayed whenthe finger 301 of the user is moved away from the multi-functionoperation button 501 and thus the multi-function operation button 501returns into the non-touched state. More specifically, if the controlunit 201 detects a change in the detection information supplied from thetouch sensor into the OFF level when the finger of the user is movedaway from the multi-function operation button 501, the control unit 201changes the information displayed on the display 106, for example, intoa through-image 523 as shown in FIG. 14C.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the displayed informationis switched in accordance with the touch information indicating thecontact status of each input device. If a user's finger is kept incontact with a particular input device, the information is switched tomore detailed information depending on a period during which the inputdevice is kept in the touched state thereby to provide information to auser depending on whether the user needs the detailed information.

In the embodiments described above, by way of example, it is assumedthat information is switched between brief information and detailedinformation. However, information is not limited to brief informationand detailed information, but information may be switched among aplurality of different pieces of information (first information to n-thinformation).

The present invention has been described above with reference tospecific embodiments by way of example and not limitation. It should beapparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications andsubstitutions are possible without departing from the spirit and thescope of the invention. That is, the embodiments have been describedabove by way of example and not limitation. The scope of the inventionis to be determined solely by the claims.

Any of the processes disclosed in the present description may beperformed by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware andsoftware. In the case in which a process is performed by software, aprogram of the process may be installed into a memory disposed in adedicated computer embedded in hardware and the program may be executedby the computer, or the program may be installed on a general-purposecomputer capable of executing various processes and may be executed onthe general-purpose computer. The program may be preinstalled in astorage medium. Instead of installing the program into the computer viaa storage medium, the program may be received via a network such as aLAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and the received program maybe installed in an internal storage medium such as a hard disk drivedisposed in the computer.

The processes disclosed in the present description may be performedtime-sequentially in the same order as that described in the program, ormay be performed in parallel or individually depending on the processingpower of the computer. In the present description, the term “system” isused to describe a logical collection of a plurality of devices, and itis not necessarily required that the plurality of devices be disposed ina single case.

It should be noted again that it should be understood by those skilledin the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinationsand alterations may occur depending on design requirements and otherfactors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims orthe equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information display apparatus comprising: auser interface including a display configured to display a plurality ofobjects; a touch sensor configured to detect a state of an input to theuser interface; and circuitry configured to receive sensor detectioninformation from the touch sensor; control the display to apply a firstvisual effect to at least one of the plurality of objects withoutchanging a layout or orientation of the plurality of objects on thedisplay when the sensor detection information indicates that a touchinput received corresponding to the at least one of the plurality ofobjects is maintained over a time period less than a predeterminedthreshold; control the display to apply a second visual effect to the atleast one of the plurality of objects without changing the layout or theorientation of the plurality of objects on the display when the sensordetection information indicates that the touch input receivedcorresponding to the at least one of the plurality of objects ismaintained over a time period equal to or greater than the predeterminedthreshold; and control the display to apply a third visual effect to theat least one of the plurality of objects when the sensor detectioninformation indicates that the touch input received corresponding to theat least one of the plurality of objects is maintained over a timeperiod equal to or greater than a second predetermined threshold, whichis greater than the predetermined threshold.
 2. The information displayapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first visual effectcorresponds to brief explanatory information, the second visual effectcorresponds to first-level detailed explanatory information, and thethird visual effect corresponds to second-level detailed explanatoryinformation.
 3. A method of controlling displaying information, executedby an information display apparatus, the method comprising: producing animage of a subject by an imaging unit including a lens unit of theinformation display apparatus; storing the image produced by the imagingunit in a memory of the information display apparatus; controlling adisplay of a user interface of the information display apparatus todisplay a plurality of objects; receiving sensor detection informationfrom a touch sensor associated with the user interface including thedisplay configured to display the plurality of objects; controlling, bycircuitry of the information display apparatus, the display to apply afirst visual effect to at least one of the plurality of objects withoutchanging a layout or orientation of the plurality of objects on thedisplay when the sensor detection information indicates that a touchinput received corresponding to the least one of the plurality ofobjects is maintained over a time period less than a predeterminedthreshold; controlling, by the circuitry, the display to apply a secondvisual effect to the at least one of the plurality of objects withoutchanging the layout or the orientation of the plurality of objects onthe display when the sensor detection information indicates that thetouch input received corresponding to the at least one of the pluralityof objects is maintained over a time period equal to or greater than thepredetermined threshold; and providing power to the circuitry by a powersupply of the information display apparatus.
 4. The method according toclaim 3, wherein the first visual effect corresponds to briefexplanatory information, and the second visual effect corresponds todetailed explanatory information.
 5. The method according to claim 3,wherein the first visual effect includes a name, and the second visualeffect includes at least one of operation information, functioninformation and setting information.
 6. The method according to claim 3,further comprising: controlling the display to change displayinformation when the sensor detection information indicates that a touchinput is no longer received corresponding to the at least one of theplurality of objects.
 7. The method according to claim 3, wherein theuser interface further includes at least one of a shutter button, a modeselection dial, a zoom button, an operation button, and a multi-functionoperation button.
 8. The method according to claim 3, furthercomprising: controlling the display to stop applying the first or secondvisual effect when the sensor detection information indicates that atouch input is no longer received corresponding to the at least one ofthe plurality of objects.
 9. The method according to claim 3, whereinthe user interface includes a button having an input function thatchanges depending on a mode in which an operation mode is currently set.10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: controlling thedisplay to apply the first or second visual effect based on the currentoperation mode.
 11. The method according to claim 3, wherein the userinterface includes a button having an input function configured to beset so as to have a function selected by a user.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 11, further comprising: controlling the display toapply the first or second visual effect based on the function currentlyset.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includingcomputer-program instructions, which when executed by an informationprocessing apparatus, cause the information processing apparatus toperform a method comprising: producing an image of a subject by animaging unit including a lens unit of the information display apparatus;storing the image produced by the imaging unit in a memory of theinformation display apparatus; controlling a display of a user interfaceof the information display apparatus to display a plurality of objects;receiving sensor detection information from a touch sensor associatedwith the user interface including the display configured to display theplurality of objects; controlling, by circuitry of the informationdisplay apparatus, the display to apply a first visual effect to atleast one of the plurality of objects without changing a layout ororientation of the plurality of objects on the display when the sensordetection information indicates that a touch input receivedcorresponding to the least one of the plurality of objects is maintainedover a time period less than a predetermined threshold; controlling, bythe circuitry, the display to apply a second visual effect to the atleast one of the plurality of objects without changing the layout or theorientation of the plurality of objects on the display when the sensordetection information indicates that the touch input receivedcorresponding to the at least one of the plurality of objects ismaintained over a time period equal to or greater than the predeterminedthreshold; and providing power to the circuitry by a power supply of theinformation display apparatus.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium according to claim 13, wherein the first visual effectcorresponds to brief explanatory information, and the second visualeffect corresponds to detailed explanatory information.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 13, whereinthe first visual effect includes a name, and the second visual effectincludes at least one of operation information, function information andsetting information.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 13, the method further comprising: controlling thedisplay to change display information when the sensor detectioninformation indicates that a touch input is no longer receivedcorresponding to the at least one of the plurality of objects.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 13, whereinthe user interface further includes at least one of a shutter button, amode selection dial, a zoom button, an operation button, and amulti-function operation button.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium according to claim 13, the method furthercomprising: controlling the display to stop applying the first or secondvisual effect when the sensor detection information indicates that atouch input is no longer received corresponding to the at least one ofthe plurality of objects.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium according to claim 13, wherein the user interface includes abutton having an input function that changes depending on a mode inwhich an operation mode is currently set.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium according to claim 19, the method furthercomprising: controlling the display to apply the first or second visualeffect based on the current operation mode.
 21. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the userinterface includes a button having an input function configured to beset so as to have a function selected by a user.
 22. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium according to claim 21, the method furthercomprising: controlling the display to apply the first or second visualeffect based on the function currently set.
 23. An image capturingapparatus comprising: an imaging unit including lens unit configured toproduce an image of a subject; a memory configured to store the imageproduced by the imaging unit; a user interface including a displayconfigured to display a plurality of objects; a touch sensor configuredto detect a state of an input to the user interface; circuitryconfigured to receive sensor detection information from the touchsensor; control the display to apply a first visual effect to at leastone of the plurality of objects without changing a layout or orientationof the plurality of objects on the display when the sensor detectioninformation indicates that a touch input received corresponding to theat least one of the plurality of objects is maintained over a timeperiod less than a predetermined threshold; and control the display toapply a second visual effect to the at least one of the plurality ofobjects without changing the layout or the orientation of the pluralityof objects on the display when the sensor detection informationindicates that the touch input received corresponding to the at leastone of the plurality of objects is maintained over a time period equalto or greater than the predetermined threshold; and a power supplyconfigured to supply power to the circuitry.
 24. The information displayapparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first visual effectcorresponds to brief explanatory information, and the second visualeffect corresponds to detailed explanatory information.
 25. Theinformation display apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the firstvisual effect includes a name, and the second visual effect includes atleast one of operation information, function information and settinginformation.
 26. The information display apparatus according to claim23, wherein the circuitry is configured to control the display to changedisplay information when the sensor detection information indicates thata touch input is no longer received corresponding to the at least one ofthe plurality of objects.
 27. The information display apparatusaccording to claim 23, wherein the user interface further includes atleast one of a shutter button, a mode selection dial, a zoom button, anoperation button, and a multi-function operation button.
 28. Theinformation display apparatus according to claim 23, wherein thecircuitry is configured to control the display to stop applying thefirst or second visual effect when the sensor detection informationindicates that a touch input is no longer received corresponding to theat least one of the plurality of objects.
 29. The information displayapparatus according to claim 23, wherein the user interface includes abutton having an input function that changes depending on a mode inwhich an operation mode is currently set.
 30. The information displayapparatus according to claim 29, wherein the circuitry is configured tocontrol the display to apply the first or second visual effect based onthe current operation mode.
 31. The information display apparatusaccording to claim 23, wherein the user interface includes a buttonhaving an input function configured to be set so as to have a functionselected by a user.
 32. The information display apparatus according toclaim 31, wherein the circuitry is configured to control the display toapply the first or second visual effect based on the function currentlyset.
 33. A method of controlling displaying information, executed by aninformation display apparatus, the method comprising: receiving sensordetection information from a touch sensor associated with a userinterface including a display configured to display a plurality ofobjects; controlling the display to apply a first visual effect to atleast one of the plurality of objects without changing a layout ororientation of the plurality of objects on the display when the sensordetection information indicates that a touch input receivedcorresponding to the least one of the plurality of objects is maintainedover a time period less than a predetermined threshold; and controllingthe display to apply a second visual effect to the at least one of theplurality of objects without changing the layout or the orientation ofthe plurality of objects on the display when the sensor detectioninformation indicates that the touch input received corresponding to theat least one of the plurality of objects is maintained over a timeperiod equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold; andcontrolling the display to apply a third visual effect to the at leastone of the plurality of objects when the sensor detection informationindicates that the touch input received corresponding to the at leastone of the plurality of objects is maintained over a time period equalto or greater than a second predetermined threshold, which is greaterthan the predetermined threshold.
 34. The method according to claim 33,wherein the first visual effect corresponds to brief explanatoryinformation, the second visual effect corresponds to first-leveldetailed explanatory information, and the third visual effectcorresponds to second-level detailed explanatory information.
 35. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-programinstructions, which when executed by an information processingapparatus, cause the information processing apparatus to perform amethod comprising: receiving sensor detection information from a touchsensor associated with a user interface including a display configuredto display a plurality of objects; controlling the display to apply afirst visual effect to at least one of the plurality of objects withoutchanging a layout or orientation of the plurality of objects on thedisplay when the sensor detection information indicates that a touchinput received corresponding to the least one of the plurality ofobjects is maintained over a time period less than a predeterminedthreshold; controlling the display to apply a second visual effect tothe at least one of the plurality of objects without changing the layoutor the orientation of the plurality of objects on the display when thesensor detection information indicates that the touch input receivedcorresponding to the at least one of the plurality of objects ismaintained over a time period equal to or greater than the predeterminedthreshold; and controlling the display to apply a third visual effect tothe at least one of the plurality of objects when the sensor detectioninformation indicates that the touch input received corresponding to theat least one of the plurality of objects is maintained over a timeperiod equal to or greater than a second predetermined threshold, whichis greater than the predetermined threshold.
 36. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium according to claim 35, wherein the first visualeffect corresponds to brief explanatory information, the second visualeffect corresponds to first-level detailed explanatory information, andthe third visual effect corresponds to second-level detailed explanatoryinformation.